Earlier today, Rheumatoid Arthritis Guy woke up to a nice email message from a person who has been reading this blog for several months. This reader commented on how, despite the chronic pain and constant challenges that I encounter on a regular basis as a result of living with RA, my blog posts always seems to exhibit a positive outlook on life.

Is there anything you can tell me that would inspire me to feel how you feel? It’s like nothing stops you; you get knocked down and you get right back up. How?

It’s funny, the timing of this question.

Just yesterday, between my morning physical therapy session (my physical therapist has been kind enough to come to my house each morning for the past two week) and a six-hour workday that started at noon (30 minute commute, 2-1/2 hour class, 10 minute break, another 2-1/2 hour class, and a return 20 minute commute), I was taking a taxi to the local shopping mall (pharmacy and a quick bite for lunch). The pain was absolutely everywhere, and my crutches were propped up against the seat next to me.

I thought to myself: “Some days, I have no idea how I keep on moving.”

But the weird thing, is that I just keep on moving.

Why do I keep on moving, when something it seems like the easiest thing is to just sit in one spot or stay in bed? I do it because in the past, I would just sit in one spot or stay in bed…and experience has shown me that the results are not always pleasant. My muscles atrophy. Depression sets in. And even though it seems like it can’t get any worse, it actually does.

Continuing to move forward, to pick myself back up, shows me that there is life beyond my pain and illness. Come to think of it, there is even life within my pain and illness. There is the humor that comes from the pharmacist, who every time she sees me, tries to guess what my medicines are before I tell her. There is my physical therapist who has also become my friend. During Thanksgiving Dinner last week (there were about twenty people here at our house, most of them American) when a back spasm left me almost completely immobile, she gave me an emergency 30-minute session in the privacy of my bedroom. There are my students who, when I showed up to class this week with a black walking cane, Nike shoes, slightly-loose blue jeans and square-cut button-up shirt (untucked), called me Dr. House. (I actually thought this was funny.)

Accepting this illness into my life, and all the good and bad that it brings, in a strange way is one of the things that allows me to continue to be optimistic. It’s the calm reaction during a really bad flare, when I remind myself that I have been through this and can get through it again. It’s the tears that flow freely and my shouts of agony during this moment when it actually seems like I won’t get through one of these episodes…but eventually, the absolute worse does pass.

It’s not only knowing the friends and family that I can turn to for support during a rough time…but actually turning to them for support during a rough time. It’s knowing that my illness affects not only myself but those around me, and that with determination together we can get through it together.

But a lot of times, to be honest, it’s sometimes having absolutely no clue of how I do it…

Hi, I was hoping I could talk to you about RA. I believe that I have RA, but the blood work doesn’t show it. I had Ulcerative colitis as a young man(since had my colon removed.) My mother has Lupus, so I have the prerequisite autoimmune disorders covered. I have the pain in my joints, the fatigue that sets in, basically all of the symptoms of RA that I have read about. My problem is that I no longer have insurance. So, to continue testing is too costly, especially when my gut tells me it’s RA. Do you have any thoughts on how I can get this properly diagnosed, or any help at all?
I would like to thank you in advance for any thoughts you may have.
Dennis

I find that even during the worst of my flares I have to keep going…just like you. I find that when I go ahead and get up and share moments of laughter or deep conversation with friends and family that the pain lessens a bit during that time. I find that blogging allows me to share my feelings and that helps a lot. In my opinion, we have to keep going, otherwise this disease destroys us.

Nice post. I’m in remission right now, but have had about 6 years of bad flare in the 11 years since I was diagnosed. Like you, I learned that being busy and “keep on keeping on” was the best choice for me both physically and mentally. I didn’t see that I had a choice. I recall those days of wearing slip on sneakers to my office, hobbling in, leaving early, napping on my office floor, working the phone from my bed and doing whatever to get thru life. Yeah, things suffered, but all in all I’m proud of all I’ve overcome.

Initially I was infused with Remicade in an office with about 8 patients at a time. I saw a lot of RA people and knew that many had given in to the disease, unlike me that just decided to not let it take all of me. Perhaps that helped motivate me as well, and perhaps its something inherent. Mind over matter and I know that I won’t let this disease get the best of me.

RA Guy – Great posts. I’m also in my 30s living with RA. We probably have a lot in common. I have also decided to Blog my story to not only help others, but to use it as a daily affirmation and a log to help me figure out what works when, how and why. I’d like to be on your blogroll if possible, my site is:http://managingra.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the posts, keep on keepin’ on and let’s beat the RA down and help others in the process.